UCHS Receives STEM Certification
News, Panther's Corner May 25, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Union County High School (UCHS) named the fourth STEM certified public school in the state.
State Superintendent Richard Woods visited UCHS a few weeks ago and recognized the school as the 14th STEM certified program in the state and fourth public school to earn the honor.
STEM teaches students computational thinking and using scientific methods to solve real-world problems. It helps children to develop technological skills that they can use to one day find highly-sought after jobs.
At the May Board of Education, Superintendent John Hill presented the STEM certification award to Ms. Alecia Frizzell.
“Ms. Frizzell was extremely dedicated and instrumental in the high school receiving the certification, and it’s going to have a lasting impact on students of our county,” said Hill.
Ms. Frizzell also received the Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year 2019.
“I have not met a teacher more dedicated to her students and her profession,” said Hill, “we’re very proud of her.”
“I had no idea I was getting the award. I think I was nominated by Mr. Hussion,” explained Frizzell, “I had a student write a recommendation letter that is framed and on a wall in my house.”
Three Partners in Education were recognized for their significant efforts to improve the schools’ facilities and life of the students.
Gene Sprayberry donated his greenhouse to Woody Gap in memory of his wife, Louise.
Gene Sprayberry donated a large greenhouse to Woody Gap Schools in memory of his wife, Louise.
“I’m thankful that the school system accepted the schoolhouse in memory of Louise,” said Sprayberry, “She would be so thrilled to see that it was doing some good, and students might take up her passion. She loved it.”
This year the Chamber of Commerce had an entire night dedicated to recognizing Union County Schools’(UCS) students and set up two committees devoted to finding ways to help students.
“Our local chamber has always supported our school system, but this past year they have truly been a partner in education,” said Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
“We appreciate the opportunity for the chamber to participate in the program,” said Chamber of Commerce President Steve Rowe, “These students are the future of Union County.”
RC&D Council sponsored a number of learning opportunities for the students of UCS and Woody Gap, including sponsoring a steer for middle school agriculture day, a pig for the cafeterias, fire-wise programs, a high-wind tunnel, drone software, wick-whacking device, and a number of the members.
Jason Moore’s recognized for his outstanding service on the middle school governance team.
UCMS Principal Gwen Stafford recognized student Jason Moore for his commitment to the School Governance Team.
“Jason Moore has been our representative at the middle school for the past two years, and he has done an outstanding job, said Principal Gwen Stafford, “If he doesn’t know what the students would like, he goes out and sees them. He gets there opinion and comes back and reports to us.”
UCHS FFA Students also received recognition for winning first place in state competitions.
Isaac Hunter placed first at the state level for the ocular estimation event at the junior foresters’ field day.
“Ocular estimation is where I have to stand five feet away from the tree and guess the diameter of it,” said Hunter. He can’t use any tools to assist with the process, just his best sight guestimation.
Isaac Hunter and Timothy Dye both won first place in the state FFA competition.
Next, Timothy Dye won first place at the state competition for timber cruising for board volume.
“You have to stand 66 feet away from the tree using logger tape, diameter tape, and clinometer. The diameter get the actual diameter of it, and with the clinometer, you get the height of it,” explained Dye.
The Union County Primary School recognized two teachers who achieved perfect attendance for the 2018-2019 school year. Kelsey Miller teaches Pre-K, and Tina Payne is an RTI specialist who teaches Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade students.
UCPS Principal Millie Owenby recognized the two primary school teachers Kelsey Miller and Tina Payne for their perfect attendance.
“We all know that as teachers that the more we are there, the better the students perform,” said Principal Millie Owenby, “Sometimes at the primary school that is quite an accomplishment.”
The board also presented Superintendent with an award to commemorate his 15 years of service.
Union Schools closed Monday
News, Panther's Corner December 10, 2017
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Due to continued hazardous roadways throughout the county as a result of Winter Storm Benji, Union County Schools will be closed Monday, Dec. 11, according to information posted on the school system’s Facebook page.
Union County Schools will be closed for students and staff on Monday Dec. 11, 2018.
Continue to follow FetchYourNews for up-to-the-minute coverage of the aftermath of Winter Storm Benji.
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UCBOE votes on ESPLOST V parameters, tables superintendent search
News November 24, 2017
UCS Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened for their November workshop and meeting on Nov. 21, 2017, at 6 p.m. at the UCBOE Building. Union County Schools (UCS) Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield and all board members were present.
ESPLOST V (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax 5) renewal parameters for the next five years were discussed at length. Dr. Rayfield recommended that the board keep the parameters unchanged from the current ESPLOST. With regard to the collection cap for the one penny sales tax over five years, Dr. Rayfield recommended that it be kept at $21 million. He also recommended that the language be kept in the referendum, which will be on the May 22, 2018, ballot, for the issuance of bonds and that the bond limit be kept at $13.5 million. The point was driven home by both the full board and by Dr. Rayfield that there is absolutely no intention to issue bonds (incur debt) except in the case of an unforeseen natural or terrorist disaster such that facilities were destroyed or the like. The board voted three to one with one abstention to keep the language in the referendum for ESPLOST V unchanged from the current ESPLOST and authorized Dr. Rayfield to move forward with notifying Harben, Hartley and Hawkins, LLP, attorneys for UCS. (see video)
Dr. Rayfield presented a list of future projects as justification for ESPLOST V, which itemized only maintenance, upgrades and upkeep tasks to keep UCS a smooth-running, state-of-the-art facility. Ten more new buses (over the next five years) were also listed as a result of the past deficiency (over the last 10-15 years) in keeping the bus fleet up to date. (see video)
UCBOE Chairwoman Cynthia Odom informed the other members that, since their acceptance of Dr. Rayfield’s retirement request a week ago, she had contacted two school superintendent search firms: Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and King-Cooper & Associates. She said that she had invited Dr. Sandy Addis, an associate with King-Cooper, to present to the board because UCS had used King-Cooper in the past and because they were, by far, less expensive than GSBA. Dr. Addis addressed the board at length. Ultimately, the board voted to postpone (table) further discussion of the superintendent search process.
L to R: UCFD Chief David Dyer, “B” Shift, Dr. Rayfield
Dr. Rayfield introduced David Shanks, an official with the state of Georgia, to the board. Shanks presented UCS with a Plaque of Approval from the state of Georgia for its System Safety Plan and recommended that they implement testing exercises to keep the plan renewed and functional.
Dr. Rayfield presented the Union County Fire Department/Emergency Management Agency with a Partner in Education Award for its diligence and assistance in partnering with UCS for the safety and well-being of students over the past year. UCFD Chief and EMA Director David Dyer and the ‘B’ shift crew were on hand to accept the Award.
The Board approved:
• Principal’s quarterly reports;
• September and October financial reports;
• Proposed 2018 board meeting dates; and
• December 2017 board meeting date change to December 12.
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UCBOE recognizes Technology Students Association national winners, votes to open bidding on school bus cameras
News July 19, 2017
Blairsville, GA – The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2017 for the July Workshop. The regular July Monthly Meeting immediately followed. UCS Superintendent Dr. Fred Rayfield, UCHS Principal C.T. Hussion and all Board Members were present.
UCHS 9th and 10th grade students Steven Williams, Derrick Harwood, Brian Williams, Will Harkins, Thomas Melendorf, Andrew Walker, Sarah Cook, Evelyn McBride and Madison Yost were recognized for their winning first place in the 9/10 Written Essay contest at the Technology Students Association 2017 TEAMS Conference in Orlando, FL. Teachers and sponsors Dr. Melissa Bridges and Alecia Frizzell were also recognized. A video of the TSA Awards Ceremony can be viewed here. This was a national competition where UCHS competed against students from all across America… and took first place!
UCS transportation employee Bill Driskell addressed the Board regarding cameras and GPs services for school busses. Installation of cameras and GPS technology on UCS school busses is being considered. Driskell said he and Stanley Garrett had spoken with three vendors that deal in camera and GPS systems and that they had gotten three quotes on three different levels of systems. Discussion ensued about the pros and cons of each level. Because the operation of a cellular, real time system would involve a data connection that would cost an additional $16,000 – 18,000 per year and would not be accessible in all areas of the county, that level was discarded. The Board did direct Driskell and Garrett to move forward with the formal bidding process for a less costly system.
Dr. Rayfield informed the Board that there would be at least an early dismissal on August 21, the day of the upcoming eclipse. He said that the estimates at this time are so varied that it is difficult to make a decision, but that it might be prudent to close for a full day. He said he will meet with the Union County EMA twice more before the event, but that currently Towns, Rabun, White, Stephens and Union County Schools are all going with early dismissal. He said UCS is partnering with the Union County Chamber of Commerce in securing viewing glasses for students for the eclipse event and designating the stadium and the parking area behind the baseball/softball fields as viewing areas.
Dr. Fred Rayfield
Dr. Rayfield recommended that the Board accept, because of an increase in the digest, the proposed rollback millage rate of 11.780; a decrease from 11.787. This proposed millage rate will sit on the table and must be advertised for 30 days.
The Board unanimously approved the Family Connection Council on Alcohol and Drug Contract as submitted following an update by Katy Jones on the Union County Family Connection and their accomplishments over the past year. Dr. Rayfield said that UCS is the physical agent for Family Connection Grant Funds. Jones said that the State had changed their focus from an individual centered mentoring program to an environmental program where Family Connection would use the Grant funds to target alcohol use in general.
Katy Jones
The Board unanimously approved the annual renewal of the contract between Union and Towns Counties such that Union County would provide alternative education services to Towns County for a fee of $25,000.
The Board unanimously accepted and approved a petition by Cameron Hughes on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation for early graduation.
The Board unanimously approved revisions to the School Governance Team Handbook on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation.
The Board Unanimously approved the May 2017 Financial Report on Dr. Rayfield’s recommendation.
Dr. Rayfield reported to the Board as required that the Sick Leave Bank showed 371 employees with 223 days.
With no further business to conduct, the Meeting adjourned.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
UCHS recognized as AP Challenge/AP STEM campus, UCMS recognized by GDOE as Beating the Odds in 2016 and 5 years running
News March 22, 2017
Superintendent Union County Schools Dr. Fred H. Rayfield
Union County School Board, L to R Janna D. Akins, Tony Hunter, Cynthia Odom, Keith Potts, Patrick White.
The Union County Board of Education (UCBOE) convened on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 6 p.m. for their monthly Workshop, immediately followed by the General Meeting. Present were UCS Superintendent Fred H. Rayfield, Board Chairwoman Cynthia Odom, Vice Chair Patrick White and Board Members Janna D. Akins, Tony Hunter and Keith Potts. Rayfield announced at the beginning of the General Meeting that UCHS has been rated by the College Board as an Advanced Placement (AP) Challenge/ AP STEM campus. Rayfield said that UCHS is one of only 59 Georgia high schools that offer the number and type of AP courses that UCHS does. Students who pass or test well after taking AP courses earn college credit. This is huge for both students and parents.
Rayfield also announced that UCMS has Beat the Odds for 2016 and for the last five years in a row. Beating the Odds means that UCMS has surpassed the statistical prediction range established by the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE); that is, UCMS students have higher College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores than the GDOE prediction based on school size, grade clusters, economic disadvantages and student demographics. This is great news for the Union County Charter School System. Rayfield said UCHS was recognized as Beating the Odds for 2016 as well.
Rayfield announced that UCES and UCMS have been designated Title I Rewards Schools Highest Performing Schools based on 2013-2015 data.
These are all accomplishments that these School Principals and faculties should be very proud of, he said, and public recognition will be forthcoming.
The Board approved, on the Superintendent’s recommendation, three UCHS students to travel with a chaperone to Anaheim, CA to the national/international Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) competition, leaving April 25 and returning April 30, 2017. DECA is an organization that recognizes and prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Rayfield said all three students had won their state competitions and were qualified to go. The three students are Tyler ‘Buck’ Martin, Robert ‘Jordan’ Frank and Kyle English.
School Board Appreciation Week happens every March. Rayfield awarded plaques to each of the five School Board Members for their willingness to serve the community in their elected positions in addition to their regular full time jobs. He said they do a lot more than just administer these Board Meetings once a month; that they are committed to what’s right for our kids and should be recognized for it.
The Board approved the February 2017 Financial Report. No details were given regarding the report.
The Board broke for a second Executive Session at approximately 7:20 p.m. Upon their return at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Board reconvened and approved the list of FY 2018 Full-Time certified rehires and a list of Personnel Recommendations. When asked for the lists, Rayfield informed Fetch Your News that the full lists would be published on the Web site the following day.
The Board then adjourned.
Union County Schools Closed Due to Winter Weather Warning
News January 19, 2016
ALL Union County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday January 20th due the impending winter weather that is forecast to have an immediate impact on roads as ground temperatures are already below freezing.